Internet Connectivity Options: COVID-19 Response

Our colleagues in higher education have been compiling a list of the Internet connectivity options that U.S.-based providers are giving in response to COVID-19. This list will be updated as we receive any additional reports of available resources. The current list was updated on 3/25/2020.

• FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.

• Comcast COVID-19 response: Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Comcast is also temporarily waiving their monthly data caps

  • Xfinity WiFi hotspots are open across their national footprint for public use (https://www.xfinity.com/wifi)

• Charter/Spectrum Free Internet offer for 2 months: Spectrum is offering free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps.

  • Spectrum is also making its Wi-Fi hotspots open across its footprint for public use (https://www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots).

• AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families

• Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.

• Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

• T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

• Cox COVID-19 response: $19.99 offer for new Starter internet customers with a temporary boost up to 50 Mbps download speeds, no annual contract or qualifications to help low income and those impacted from Coronavirus challenges, like seniors and college students. Eliminating data usage overages beginning today to meet the higher bandwidth demands. Customers with a 500 GB or Unlimited data usage add-on plan will receive credits.

• Altice/SuddenLink USA COVID-19 response: For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, we are offering our Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within our footprint.

• Hargray COVID-19 response: Hargray will offer free Internet service for 60 days to households in its service area with K-12 or college students who do not already have a Hargray Internet subscription. Free Installation is also included.